17 - oxygenated androsta/estra-4,6,8(14)-trien - 3 - ones,dihydro congeners,and intermediates



United States Patent 3,462,422 17 OXYGENATED ANDROSTA/ESTRA-4,6,8(14)- TRIEN 3 ONES, DIHYDRO CONGENERS, AND

INTERMEDIATES William F. Johns, Morton Grove, 11]., assignor to G. D. Searle & Co., Chicago, 111., a corporation of Delaware No Drawing. Filed Sept. 26, 1966, Ser. No. 581,701

Int. Cl. C07c 169/10, 169/22, 173/00 US. Cl. 260-23955 12 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE Preparation of 17-oxygenated androsta/estra-4,6,8(l4)- trien-3-ones such as 17 3-hydroxyestra-4,6,8(14)-trien-3- one, dihydro congeners thereof, and intermediates thereto having valuable biological properties including anti-DCA and anti-protozoal activity is disclosed.

This invention relates to 17-oxygenated androsta/estra- 4,6,8(14)-trien-3-ones and dihydro congeners, intermediates thereto, and processes for the preparation thereof. More particularly, this invention provides new, useful, and unobvious steroids of the formulas and wherein Z represents a carbonyl, B-hydroxymethylene, fihydr-oxy-u-ethynylmethylene, o-r fl-hydroxy-u-(lower alkyl)-methylene radical and the dotted lines indicate that the compounds of Formula I are A A or A in addition to being A804) as shown by the solid line in ring C.

Those skilled in the art will recognize that B-hydroxya-ethynyl and fi-hydroxy-a-(lower alkyl)methylene radicals are radicals of the formula 5... wherein R represents, respectively, an ethynyl grouping or a monovalent, saturated, acyclic, straightor branchedchain, hydrocarbon grouping of the formula 3,462,422 Patented Aug. 19, 1969 ice pounds) hereof proceeds by reducing an aniline solution of 3 3-methoxyestra-1,3,5(10),8,l4-pentaen-17;8-ol [Chem Pharm. Bull. (Tokyo), 13, 1285 (1965 with sodium and liquid ammonia to give 3-methoxyestra-1,3,5(10),8(14)- tetraen-17fi-ol, which in turn is reduced with lithium and liquid ammonia in tetrahydrofuran solution containing tert-butyl alcohol to give 3-methoxyestra-2,5 (10),8(14)- trien-17/3-ol. The hydroxymethylene grouping in the latter intermediate is oxidized to a carbonyl upon heating with aluminum isopropoxide and cyclohexanone in toluene, and the carbonyl is converted to a fi-hydroxy-a-(lower alkyl)- methylene grouping upon contact with (lower alkyl)magnesium bromide in tetrahydrofuran containing diethyl ether. Alternatively, the carbonyl is converted to a 6- hydroxy-a-ethynylmethylene grouping by contacting with sodium acetylide in dimethylformamide. From the 17- oxygelnated 3-methoxyestra-2,5(10),8(14)-trienes thus obtaine (Z being defined as before), upon brief contact with aqueous acetic acid, the 17-oxygenated estra-5(10),8(14)- dien-3-ones of this invention are obtained. Either the latter compounds, or their intermediate precursors aforesaid, upon prolonged contact with aqueous methanolic hydrogen chloride atford the 17-oxygenated estra-4,8(14)-dien- 3-ones of the invention. The 17-oxygenated estra-4,8(14)- dien-3-ones hereof are converted to corresponding estra- 4,6,8(l4)-trien-3-ones by warming with 2,3,5,6-tetrachloro-1,4-benzoquinone (chloranil) in tert-butyl alcohol. Alternatively, and in somewhat improved yield, estra- 4,6,8(14)-triene-3,17-dione is obtained from -hydroxyestra-4,6,8(l4) -trien-3-one by oxidizing the hydroxyl with chromium trioxide and sulfuric acid in acetonic medium.

The androstane derivatives (Formula 11 compounds) of this invention eventuate from 3fi-acetoxyandrosta-5,7- dien-17-one [1. Org. Chem., 16, 1129 (1951)], which can be converted to a 17u-(lower alkyl)androsta-5,7-diene- 3p,17B-diol by contacting with a (lower alkyl)magnesium bromide in tetrahydrofuran containing diethyl ether. Alternatively, the 3-acetoxyl can first be saponified with ethanolic potassium hydroxide and the carbonyl can thereupon be converted to a B-hydroxy-a-ethynylmethylene grouping by contacting With sodium acetylide in dimethylformamide. From the aforesaid 17-oxygenated androsta- 5,7-dien-3/3-ols H 0 so H CW/ 3 an incandescent lamp, the corresponding 5,8-epidioxy6- enes are obtained; and these, in turn, alford the corresponding androsta-4,6,8(14)-trien-3-ones on prolonged contact with palladium black in an alcoholic medium. Alternatively, 5,8-epidioxy-a,8ot-androst-6-ene- 3;8,l7,B-diol is obtained by reducing 5,8-epidioxy-3fi-hydroxy-5a,8a-androst6-en-17-one with lithium tri-tertbutoxy aluminum hydride in tetrahydrofuran.

Certain of the compounds of this invention are obtained in the form of solvates wholly equivalent to corresponding non-solvated compounds for the purposes herein set forth.

The following examples describe in detail compounds illustrative of the present invention and methods which have been devised for their preparation. However, the invention is not to be construed as limited thereby, either in spirit or in scope, since it will be apparent to those skilled in the art of organic synthesis that many modifications, both of materials and of methods, may be practiced without departing from the purpose and intent of this dis closure. Throughout the examples hereinafter set forth, temperatures are given in degrees centigrade and relative amounts of materials in parts by weight, except as otherwise noted.

EXAMPLE 1 (A) 3methoxyestra-1,3,5 ,8 14)-tetraen-l7/3-ol.- To a vigorously stirred solution of 22 parts of S-methoxyestra-1,3,5 (10),8,l4-pentaen-l7;9-ol in 600 parts of aniline and approximately 4000 parts of liquid ammonia is added parts of sodium. Stirring is continued thereafter for 30 minutes, :whereupon 100 parts of ammonium chloride is mixed in; and the ammonia is thereupon removed by distillation. The residue is partitioned between ether and water. The ethereal phase is separated and consecutively washed with excess 5% hydrochloric acid, water, and aqueous 5% potassium bicarbonate, in that order. Solvent is removed from the extract by distillation; and the residue is consecutively crystallized from ether and a mixture of ether and hexane, using decolorizing charcoal in process. The product thus isolated is 3-methoxyestra-l,3, 5(10),8(14)-tetraen-l7/3-ol melting at 7578.

(B) 3-methoxyestra-2,5(l0),8(l4)-trien-l7fi-ol.A solution of 54 parts of 3-methoxyestra-1,3,5(10),8(14)- tetraen-17fl-ol in 450 parts of tetrahydrofuran is added to a vigorously stirred mixture of 1360 parts of liquid ammonia and 400 parts of tert-butyl alcohol. Then, during 30 minutes, 10 parts of lithium wire is stirred in. Stirring is continued for 4 hours, at which point the blue color which develops has disappeared; and the ammonia is thereupon removed by distillation. The residue is partitioned between benzene and the water. The benzene phase is separated, dried over anhydrous sodium sulfate, and stripped of solvent by vacuum distillation. The residual oil is crystallized from benzene. Filtered off and washed with pentane, the material thus isolated is 3- methoxyestra-2,5 10) ,8 14) -trien-17fl-ol containing solvent' of crystallization and melting at 9294.

(C) 17fl-hydroxy-4,8(14)-dien-3-one.A solution of 30 parts of 3-methoxyestra-2,5(10), 8(14)-trien-17 3ol in 480 parts of methanol is mixed with approximately 48 parts of concentrated hydrochloric acid and parts of water at 10. The resultant mixture is stirred at room temperatures for 3 hours, then made slightly alkaline with aqueous 5% potassium hydroxide and finally extracted with benzene. The benzene extract is dried over anhydrou sodium sulfate and stripped of solvent by vacuum distillation. The residue is crystallized from ether, using decolorizing charcoal in process, to give hydroxyestra 4,8(14) dien-3-one unclting at 13814l The product has the formula EXAMPLE 2 17,8 hydroxyestra-4,6,8(14)-trien-3-one.-To a solution of 178 parts of l7fi-hydroxyestra-4,8(14)-dien-3-one. in approximately 1600 parts of tert-butyl alcohol at 60 under nitrogen is added 78 parts of chloranil. The resultant mixture becomes homogeneous after 15 minutes at 60. After 35 minutes, the reactants are cooled and diluted with 4 volumes of ether. The resultant solution is consecutively Washed with aqueous 5% sodium sulfite and aqueous 5% potassium hydroxide, then distilled to dryness in vacuo. The foamy residue is crystallized from ether to give 175 j hydroxyestra 4,6,8(l4) trien-3-one meltin at approximately 157-158. The product has the formula EXAMPLE 3 and which, crystallized from a mixture of ether and acetone, is obtained as the hemiacetone solvate "melting at 220-225".

EXAMPLE 4 (A) 3 methoxyestra 2,5(),8(14) trien 17 one. Approximately 50 parts of solvent is distilled, under nitrogen, from a solution of 22 parts of 3-methoxyestra- 2,5(10),8(14)-trien-17fl-ol in a mixture of 95 parts of cyclohexanone and 720 parts of toluene. Boiling with agitation is then maintained under reflux while a solution of 12 parts of aluminum isopropoxide in approximately 110 parts of toluene is introduced during minutes. Boiling with agitation is continued for 15 minutes, whereupon the reaction mixture is chilled and then diluted with 100 parts of aqueous 50% potassium sodium tartrate. The mixture thus obtained is steam distilled for 1 hour, then chilled. The distilland is extracted with benzene, and the benzene extract i dried over anhydrous sodium sulfate and stripped of solvent by vacuum distillation. The residue is crystallized from a mixture of ether and methanol, using decolorizing charcoal in process, to give 3- methoxyestra-2,5(10),8(14)-trien-17-one melting at 115- 117.

(B) Estra-4,8(14)-dien-17-one.-A solution of 4 parts of 3 methoxyestra 2,5 (10'),8(14)-trien-17-one in 160 parts of methanol, 30 parts of water, and 12 parts of concentrated hydrochloric acid is allowed to stand at room temperatures for 4 hours. The solution is then diluted with 3 volumes of water, precipitating a solid which, filtered off, dried in air, and recrystallized from aqueous acetone, aifords estra-4,8(l4)-dien-l70ne melting at approximately l67168. The product has the formula EXAMPLE 5 (A) 3 methoxy-17u-methylestra-2,5(10),8(14)-trien- 17fl-ol.To a stirred solution of 57 parts of methylmagnesium bromide in 560 parts of ether is added, during 15 minutes, a solution of 14 parts of 3-methoxyestra- 2,5(10),8(14)-trien-17-one in a mixture of 90 parts of tetrahydrofuran and 210 parts of ether. The resultant mixture is allowed to stand for 21 hours, then consecutively diluted with an equal volume of water and sufficient 5% hydrochloric acid to dissolve the bulk of the precipitate which has formed. The mixture thus obtained is extracted with ether. The ether extract is dried over anhydrous sodium sulfate and stripped of solvent by vacuum distillation. The residue is 3-methoxy-17a-methylestra-2,5(10), 8 14)-trien-171S-ol.

(B) 176 hydroxy-17a methylestra 4,8(14)-dien-3- one.A solution of 9 parts of 3methoxy-17a-methylestra-2,5(10),8(14)-trien-17fl-ol in 160 parts of methanol, 19 parts of concentrated hydrochloric acid, and 40 parts of water is allowed to stand at room temperatures for 3 hours, then partitioned between benzene and water. The benzene phase is separated and stripped of solvent by vacuum distillation. The residue is crystallized from a mixture of acetone and hexane to give 17B-hydroxy-17umethylestra-4,8(14)-dien-3-one melting at 136-138". The product has the formula CHa 6 EXAMPLE 6 17,8 hydroxy 17cc methylestra-4,6,8(14)-trien-3-one hemihydrate.To a solution of 3 parts of 17B-hydroxy- 17a-methylestra4,8(14)-dien-3-one in 48 parts of tert butyl alcohol at 55 under nitrogen is added 3 parts of chloranil. The temperature is maintained at 55 for 45 minutes, whereupon the reaction mixture is chilled and then partitioned between dichloromethane and aqueous 10% sodium sulfite. The dichloromethane layer is separated, consecutively washed with aqueous 2% potassium hydroxide and water, dried over anhydrous magnesium sulfate, and stripped of solvent by vacuum distillation. The residue is crystallized from anhydrous ether to give 17,8 hydroxy-17a-methy1estra4,6,8( 14)-trien-3-one, having the formula OH H30 CH3 Recrystallization from aqueous acetone affords 17B-hydroxy-l7a-methylestra-4,6,8(14)-trien-3-one as the hemihydrate melting at 164166.

EXAMPLE 7 17;! hydroxy-17a-methylestra-5(10),8(14) dien 3- one.A mixture of 28 parts of 3-methoxy-l7a-rnethylestra-2,5(10),8(14)-trien-l7fl-ol, 500 parts of acetic acid, and parts of water is stirred at room temperatures for 25 minutes. After the first ten minutes, solution occurs At the close of the prescribed stirring period, 3 volumes of water is introduced, precipitating oily crystals. The crystalline material is filtered off, dried in air, and taken up in dichloromethane. The dichloromethane solution is Washed with aqueous 5% potassium bicarbonate, dried over anhydrous sodium sulfate, and stripped of solvent by vacuum distillation. The residue is crystallized from a mixture of dichloromethane and hexane to give 173- hydroxy-lh-methylestra-S( 10) ,8 14) -dien-3-one melting at 127l30. The product has the formula EXAMPLE 8 17a-ethynyl-3-methoxyestra-2,5(10),8(14)-trien 17B- ol.To a mixture of 952 parts of liquid ammonia, 560 parts of isopropyl alcohol, and 1 part of cupric nitrate is added, portionwise with agitation, 116 parts of sodium. A blue color develops. Agitation is continued until the color disappears, whereupon 1140 parts of dimethylformamide is introduced and the resultant solution warmed to 20 to distill off the ammonia. The distilland is saturated with acetylene consecutively pre-washed with water and concentrated sulfuric acid. A solution of 100 7 coal in process. The 17a-ethynyl-3-methoxyestra-2,5 (10), 8(14)-trien-17/3-ol thus isolated melts at 138-142.

(B) 1700 ethynyl 17B hydroxyestra 4,8(14) dien- 3-one.A solution of 32 parts of l7a-ethynyl-3-methoxyestra-2,5(10),8(14)-trien-17B-ol in a mixture of 640 parts of methanol, 60 parts of concentrated hydrochloric acid, and 80 parts of water is allowed to stand at room temperatures for 2 /2 hours. The solution is thereupon diluted with 3 volumes of water, precipitating a solid which is isolated by filtration, washed with water, and recrystallized from ether, using decolorizing charcoal in process. The product thus isolated is 17a-ethynyl-17/3-hydroxyestra-4, 8(14)-dien-3-one melting at 180182. It has the formula 17a ethynyl 17p hydroxyestra 4,6,8( 14) trien 3- one.To a stirred solution of 165 parts of 17u-ethynyl- 17fl-hydroxyestra-4,8(14)-dien-3-one in 4800 parts of tertbutyl alcohol at 60 under nitrogen is added 150 parts of chloranil. Temperature is maintained at about 60 for 40 minutes, whereupon the reaction mixture is cooled and diluted with 3 volumes of ether. The resultant solution is consecutively washed with aqueous 5% sodium sulfite and aqueous 2% potassium hydroxide, then concentrated to incipient precipitation by vacuum distillation. Upon chilling, the precipitate which forms is filtered oif and recrystallized from acetone to give 17a-6thYnYl-17/3- hydroxyestra-4,6,8(14)-trien-3-one melting at 218220. The product has the formula EXAMPLE (A) 3,8 acetoxy 5,8 epidioxy 50,8oc androst 6-en- 17-one.-During 7 hours, oxygen is bubbled through a solution of 106 parts of 3fi-acetoxyandrosta-5,7-dien-17- one and 1 part of eosin yellowish in 6400 parts of absolute ethyl alcohol at the boiling point under reflux and illuminated by the light of a closely proximate 500-watt tungsten lamp. Approximately half of the solvent is thereupon removed by distillation, and the distilland is chilled. Insoluble solids thrown down are filtered off and recrystallized from a mixture of dichloromethane and methanol to give 3,8-acetoxy-5,8-epidioxy-5a,8u-androst-6-en-17-0ne melting at 251253.

(B) 5,8 epidioxy 3,8 hydroxy 50:,8oz androst 6- en-17-one.A mixture of 126 parts of 3B-acetoxy-5,8- epidioxy-5a,8ot-androst-6-en-l7-one in 3200 parts of ethyl alcohol and 435 parts of aqueous 10% potassium hydroxide is stirred under nitrogen at room temperatures for 20 hours, then diluted with 30,000 parts of water. The precipitate thrown down is collected on a filter, dried in air, and recrystallized from a mixture of acetone and hexane to give 5,8-epidioxy-3fl-hydrOXy-Sa,8a-androst-6-en-17-one melting at 200202.

(C) 5,8-epidioxy-5a-8a-androst-6-ene-3p,17fl-idoL-To a stirred solution of 1 part of 5,8-epidioxy-3fl-hydroxy- 5a,8a-androst-6-en-17-one in 36 parts of tetrahydrofuran at approximately 5 is added 2 parts of lithium tri-tertbutoxy aluminum hydride. Stirring is continued for approximately 10 rninutes, whereupon the reactants are warmed to room temperature and allowed to stand thereat for 2 hours, then poured into 2 /2 volumes of 5% acetic acid. The resultant mixture is freed of tetrahydrofuran by evaporation under nitrogen, and the residue is extracted with ethyl acetate. The ethyl acetate extract is consecutively washed with Water and aqueous 5% potassium bicarbonate, dried over anhydrous magnesium sulfate, and freed of solvent by vacuum distillation. The residue thus obtained is crystallized from a mixture of acetone and hexane to give 5,8-epidioxy-5a,8a-androst-6-ene-3B,17B- diol melting at -127", solidifying above this temperature, and melting again at 195-210.

(D) 17B-hydroxyandrosta-4,6,8 l4) -trien-3-one.Approximately 2 parts of 5,8-epidioxy-5a-8rx-androst-6-ene- 3fl-17,8-dio1 and 10 parts of palladium black in parts of absolute ethyl alcohol is stirred at room temperatures for 10 days. The reaction mixture is thereupon filtered, and the filtrate is stripped of solvent by vacuum distillation. The residue, chromatographed on silica gel using benzene and ethyl acetate as developing solvents, afiords 17B-hydroxyandrosta-4,6,8(14)-trien-3-one. The product has the formula OH H 0 EXAMPLE 11 Androsta 4,6,8(14) trieue 3,17 dione.-Approximately 2 parts of 5,8-epidioxy-3[3-hydroxy-5a,8a-androst- 6-en-17-one and 10 parts of palladium black in 160 parts of absolute ethyl alcohol is stirred at room temperatures for 10 days. The reaction mixture is thereupon filtered, and the filtrate is stripped of solvent by vacuum distillation. The residual oil is triturated with ether, affording a crystalline solid which, filtered off and recrystallized from a mixture of acetone and hexane, affords androsta-4,6,8 (14)-tri ene-3,17-dione melting at 159-166. The product has the formula EXAMPLE 12 (A) 17oz methylandrosta-5,7-diene 3,8,17fi diol.A solution of 35 parts of 3B-acetoxyandrosta-5,7-dien-17- one in 450 parts of tetrahydrofuran is added, with agitation, to approximately 36 parts of methyl magnesium bromide dissolved in approximately 1500 parts of ether. Agitation is continued for 20 hours, at which point an equal volume of water is mixed in and the reaction mixture thereupon acidified with 5% hydrochloric acid. Ether is then distilled off under nitrogen, and the precipitate which forms is filtered out and recrystallized from methanol to give 17a-methylandrosta-5,7-diene-3/8,17l3-diol melting at 206-212.

(B) 5,8-epidioxy 17a methyl 5u,8or androst-6- ene-3fi,17}8-diol.Oxygen is passed through a solution of 9 100 parts of 17a-methylandrosta 5,7 diene-3/3,17fl-diol and 1 part of eosin yellowish in 6500 parts of absolute ethyl alcohol while the solution is heated at the boiling point under reflux and illuminated by the light of a 500- watt tungsten lamp. After 8 hours, solvent is removed by vacuum distillation and the residue chromatographed on silica gel, using benzene and ethyl acetate as developing solvents. From an eluate comprising ethyl acetate in benzene, on evaporation of solvent and recrystallization of the residue from a mixture of acetone and hexane, 5,8 epidioxy 17a methyl 50,8u androst-6-ene-3 8, 17/8-diol melting at 178183 is obtained.

(C) 175 hydroxy 17a methylandrosta 4,6,8(14)- trien-3-one.-Substitution of 2 parts of 5,8-epidioxy-17amethyl-5u,8a-androst-6-ene-3fi,17B-diol for the 5,8-epidioxy-5a,8m-androst-6-ene-3,8,17/3-diol called for in Example D affords, by the procedure there detailed, 1713- hydroxy 17a methylandrosta 4,6,8(14) trien-3-one, having the formula OH H30 3 m H O 0..

EXAMPLE 13 (A) 17oz ethynylandrosta 5,7 diene-3fi,17,B-diol. Substitution of 100 parts of BB-hydroxyandrosta-SJ-dien- 17-one for the 3-methoxyestra-2,5(10),8(14)-trien-17-one called for in Example 8A affords, by the procedure there detailed, l7a-ethynylandrosta-5,7-diene-3B,17/3-dio1.

(B) 5,8 epidioxy 17a ethynyl-Sa,8u-androst-6-ene- 3B,17B-diol.Substitution of 100 parts of l7a-ethynylandrosta-5,7-diene-3;3,17 8-diol for the 17a-methylandrosta-5,7-diene-3B,17,B-diol called for in Example 12B alfords, by the procedure there detailed, 5,8-epidioxy-17a-ethyny1- 5u,8a-androst-6-ene-3;8,17/3-diol.

(C) 17a ethynyl 1718 hydroxyandrosta 4,6,8(14)- trien-3-one.-Substitution of 2 parts of 5,8-epidioxy-17aethynyI-Sa,8a-androst-6-ene-3{3,17B-diol for the 5,8-epidi- OXy-50:,8zx-flt1dlOSt-6-6l16-3fi,17fi-di0l called for in Example 10D affords, by the procedure there detailed, 17a-ethynyl- 17/3-hydroxyandrosta 4,6,8(14) trien-3-one, having the formula OH H 0 i compounds of the formula and compounds of the formula 8. 5,8 epidioxy-17u-methyl 504,80: androst-6-ene-3/3, 17;8-diol.

9. 5,8-epidioxy-l7a-ethynyl 50:,80: androst-6-ene-3,8, 17 3-diol.

10. A compound according to claim 1 having the formula wherein Z represents carbonyl, fl-hydroxymethylene, fi-hydroxy-u-ethynylmethylene, or fi-hydroxy-a-(lower alkyl) methylene.

11. A compound according to claim 1 having the formula wherein Z represents carbonyl, B-hydroxymethylene, p-hydroxy-a-ethynylmethylene, or fi-hydroxy-a-(lower alkyl) methylene.

- 3,462,422 11 v w 12 r n. 12. A compound according to claim 1 having the References Cited I immula UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,365,473 7 1/1968 Taub 2 60-397.3

I 5 OTHER REFERENCES Miki et al., Proc. Chem. 800., May 1963, page 139. I Johnston et a1., Steroids (1966), page 366 relied on.

I 10 E LBERT L. ROBERTS, Primary Examiner wherein Z represents carbonyl, fi-hydroxymethylene, fi-hy- 1 CL droxy-u-ethynylmethylene, or fi-hydroxy-u-(lower alkyl) 26() 397 3, 39745, 999 methylene. 

